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Linton City Council Threatened With Lawsuit Over Motorcross Noise

(LINTON) - While the Linton-Stockton Chamber of Commerce presented the Linton City Council with a check for their share of proceeds from motocross races, neighbors promised a lawsuit Monday.

"We're coming after the city," said Mac Laramore, noting the couple had spoken with attorney Robert Hunt about a pending lawsuit. "The chamber's out of it."

Mark Stalcup, of the Greene County Daily World reports, for now, Laramore said his family's not seeking financial damages, just an injunction which would stop the motocross and the ensuing noise.

The couple's concern stems from ongoing noise which they said sometimes reaches 105 decibels.

That's about as loud as a power lawnmower, but 10 decibels louder than is needed to do permanent damage after extended exposure.

"We're not against them doing the motocross," said Daysha Laramore. "We just want them to do it someplace else."

Luke Rudisill of the Rowe Law Firm, representing the city as its attorney during Monday's meeting, told the couple "You're welcome to pursue whatever civil remedies you think you want to pursue."

However, city officials generally declined to discuss the matter once it became apparent a lawsuit may be pending.

"I don't really want to be discussing this much in the meeting if there are lawyers getting involved," said Mayor John Wilkes. "We encourage you to discuss it with the Chamber."
The couple's contention came soon after Chamber Executive Director Lynette Shelton presented the city council, via Councilman Fred Markle, with a check for $707.89.

That's the city's stake in the proceeds from the motocross events held at the conservation club, held courtesy of a lease between the city and the chamber for the property's use.
The chamber's motocross league, which has a contract using the city conservation club for its motocross events until 2015, has agreed to provide Linton with 10 percent of its net income from events.

"I also got a check for $500 last year," Markle said. "It's been a real good thing for us."
Presently, the chamber hosts three motocross events in April, May and September. It's also contributed to upkeep of the land and named the city as co-insured when it hosts events.

Shelton thanked the city for allowing the events to continue, noting the motocross has held a practice and two races so far at the site this year.

"We've had 330 riders and 800 spectators so far this year," Shelton said. "We're bringing in people from all over Indiana, and while we're doing that, we're supporting the fireworks and the city's Freedom Festival. We're just happy the city and parks board continue to invest in activities and events which bring people to town."

Wilkes thanked the chamber for their efforts.

"We do appreciate the Chamber very much for everything that they do for the community."

Shelton left before the issue of the lawsuit was raised, but Laramore questioned whether the noise is worth the benefit to the city.

"They talk about all the good that it does, and all the money it raises," he said. "Heck, if they're worried about losing that, I'll donate that much every year so they won't have to do it."

Laramore and his wife Daysha say they're not opposed to the motocross races -- just the noise they create at the Linton Conservation Club, property which abuts their home.
"We're not against them doing it at all, just where they're doing it," Daysha Laramore said.

The couple presented a petition with 25 signatures, including the names of all the neighbors in the immediate vicinity of the conservation club - "every single property surrounding it" said Daysha Laramore.

"We haven't gone into the city yet on this," Mac Laramore said.

The Laramores, presenting a copy of the contract between the Chamber and the city, noted a clause in the pact prohibits the events from disturbing neighbors.

"To start with, they were only going to have one race a year," Daysha Laramore said. "Now they're having more and more."

The Linton Conservation Club is located just north of Humphreys Park on Park Road.

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